generic skills hdbk 2008-09

							      GENERIC SKILLS MODULE


     For MSc Taught Programmes in
   Schools of Medicine & Dentistry and
             Medical Sciences


     GS50M1 - COURSE BOOKLET
              2008-2009




Course Co-ordinator: Dr Heather M Wallace
GS50M1 Generic Skills Module                                College of Life Sciences & Medicine




Welcome to the University of Aberdeen!

In order to help you to complete your year here in Aberdeen successfully, we aim to
provide you with all the tools you will need to carry out assignments, essays,
presentations and practicals. These generic skills are vital not only to your success
during this year, but are essential skills that will help you in your future career.
Although this is not a credit-bearing course, we expect you to attend all the
lectures/sessions outlined.

To help us assess how well we are doing on this course, we ask that you complete an
evaluation form for each session. One of the Graduate School staff will be outside the
lecture theatre after every session to collect your completed evaluation forms.

I hope you enjoy your time in Aberdeen and I wish you every success.




Dr Heather M Wallace
Course Co-ordinator




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        GS50M1 Generic Skills Module                                     College of Life Sciences & Medicine




        MSc Taught Programmes 2008 – 2009


        All lectures will take place in the Polwarth Building.


Date            Time               Lecture                                Lecturer                      Room

24 Sept 2008    0900 – 0915        Introduction    to     Generic   Skills Dr H M Wallace               LT3
                                   Module

24 Sept 2008    0915 – 1000        Orientation                            Dr H M Wallace                LT3

24 Sept 2008    1600 – 1700        Note Taking                            W Lawrenson                   LT3

25 Sept 2008    1400 – 1500        Scientific Writing                     Prof R Aspden                 Auditorium

25 Sept 2008    1600 – 1700        Essay Writing                          W Lawrenson                   LT3

26 Sept 2008    0900 – 1000        Career & CV Writing                    Mr P Fantom                   LT3

26 Sept 2008    1400 – 1500        Introduction to Library Skills         E Shallcross                  LT3

29 Sept 2008    1600 – 1700        Critical Appraisal                     Dr H M Wallace                LT3

1 Oct 2008      1600 – 1700        IPR/Patenting                          Dr A Lewendon                 LT3

6 Oct 2008      1600 – 1700        Interview Skills                       Mr P Fantom                   LT3

8 Oct 2008      1000 – 1100        SK5003: Introduction to Information                                  LT3
                                   Skills – Introductory Lecture
                                   (Compulsory)

9 Oct 2008      1500 – 1600        Presentation Skills                    Prof A Porter                 LT3

14 Oct 2008     1600 – 1700        Time Management                        W Lawrenson                   LT3

15 Oct 2008     0900 – 1200        SK5003: Introduction to Information                                  To be
                                   Skills – Workshop 1 (Compulsory)                                     confirmed

3 Dec 2008      1100 – 1200        Revision Strategies                    W Lawrenson                   LT3

8 Dec 2008      1300 – 1400        Examination Strategies                 W Lawrenson                   Auditorium




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GS50M1 Generic Skills Module                                  College of Life Sciences & Medicine




INTRODUCTION TO GENERIC SKILLS                                  DR H M WALLACE
24 September 2008, 0900 – 0915, LT3

Introduction to why generic skills are required and the aims of this course. Highlight
plagiarism.


ORIENTATION                                                     DR H M WALLACE
24 September 2008, 0915 – 1000, LT3

This session will cover the structure of the University together with assessment and
regulations. In particular, the College of Life Sciences & Medicine organisation and
the Graduate School will be explained. Key individuals within the organisation will
be identified and their roles defined.


NOTE TAKING                                                          W LAWRENSON
24 September 2008, 1600 – 1700, LT3

This session will give some tips on how to get the most from your lectures and
reading. Includes activities and discussions on:

        Tips on taking notes in lectures;
        Tips on taking notes from reading; and
        Creating notes to make revision more effective


SCIENTIFIC WRITING                                                   PROF R ASPDEN
25 September 2008, 1400 – 1500, Auditorium

Writing a scientific paper for publication in a peer-reviewed journal will be the main
topic of this lecture. This will include the following aspects:

        Choice of journal;

        Instructions for authors;

        Choice of title and keywords;

        Layout of a paper, including use and content of sections;

        Style of writing; and

        Submission and reviewing.

Along the way, there will be a brief discussion on ethical issues such as choice of
authors and acknowledgement of assistance, including funding and conflict of
interest.




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GS50M1 Generic Skills Module                                   College of Life Sciences & Medicine



For comparison, similar points will be covered (albeit more briefly) with respect to
writing a thesis or dissertation, indicating the main differences between these two
forms of written presentation.


ESSAY WRITING                                                         W LAWRENSON
25 September 2008, 1600 – 1700, LT3

This session will look at all the stages in writing an essay and the skills needed.
Includes activities and discussions on:

        How to understand the question/title and answer in essay form;
        Planning an essay;
        Structure of an essay; and
        Editing an essay.


CAREER AND CV WRITING                                                   MR P FANTOM
26 September 2008, 0900 – 1000, LT3

Aim

        To make students aware of the help available from the University Careers
         Office, some of the careers open to them at graduation and the skills required
         when seeking a job.

Learning Outcomes

At the end of the course the student should:

        Know what help the Careers Office can offer and be able to use its services
         and resources to educate their decision on a career choice and to develop the
         required job-seeking skills to procure an appropriate appointment;

        Appreciate the range of careers open to them once they graduate;

        Appreciate the drawbacks of a chosen job and the possible career progress;

        Be aware of the types of questions often asked in job interviews and be
         practised at answering these; and

        Have developed strategies to ensure an excellent presentation of one’s abilities
         on the curriculum vitae and at interview.


INTRODUCTION TO LIBRARY SKILLS                                        E SHALLCROSS
26 September 2008, 1400 – 1500, LT3

Introduction to individual library skills sessions.



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GS50M1 Generic Skills Module                                      College of Life Sciences & Medicine




CRITICAL APPRAISAL                                                  DR H M WALLACE
29 September 2008, 1600 – 1700, LT3

Introduction to critical appraisal – what makes a good paper, how peer review works.


IPR/PATENTING                                                         DR A LEWENDON
1 October 2008, 1600 – 1700, LT3

A workshop detailing the different types of intellectual property and how this relates
to university research. Examples will be discussed and helpful tips in identified IPR
arriving from your studies.


INTERVIEW SKILLS                                                           MR P FANTOM
6 October 2008, 1600 – 1700, LT3

Teaching Methods

        Presentations on first two topics below, with time for questions from students.

        Participative session on preparing a curriculum vitae.

        Recording of a simulated job interview with Peter Fantom as interviewer and
         two class members as interviewees.

        Workshop on required interview skills and practice for all members of the
         class.

        The relative success of reaching the interview stage.

        Observing taped videos of peers in simulated job interviews.

        Constructive criticism of the above.

        Typical types of question and their purpose in the interview.

        Feedback session.

Services Offered by the University Careers Office

        The site and hours of the Careers Service Office.

        Sources of information on careers and vacancies.

        CV workshops.

        Individual interview skills guidance.




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GS50M1 Generic Skills Module                                    College of Life Sciences & Medicine




        The standard application form.

        The cold enquiry letter to companies and prospective employers.

Handout

        Information on the Careers Service.

        Standard application form.

        Sample of typical interview questions.

        Coping with difficult questions and assessors’ guidelines.

Careers for MSc Graduates

Examples of careers open to MSc graduates.


SK5003: INTRODUCTION TO INFORMATION SKILLS
8 October 2008, 1000 – 1100, LT3

Introductory lecture. To make your transition into university life at Aberdeen as
smooth as possible, you need to get yourself connected!

How will you benefit from this course?

        You will learn how to use the computing classrooms;
        You will discover what we expect in terms of your skill level;
        You will be able to assess your own skill level; and
        You will find out how you can develop your skills to optimise your experience
         at the university and enhance your future employability.


PRESENTATION SKILLS                                                   PROF A PORTER
9 October 2008, 1500 – 1600, LT3

Aim

        To highlight the key factors which make a good oral presentation.

Learning Outcomes

At the end of the session, students should be able to:

        Understand the principles of accessibility, clarity, visualisation and worth;

        Describe the rules of public speaking;



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GS50M1 Generic Skills Module                                  College of Life Sciences & Medicine




        Prepare and use visual aids; and

        Outline potential solutions to problems.

Teaching Methods

        Lecture.


TIME MANAGEMENT                                                      W LAWRENSON
14 October 2008, 1600 – 1700, LT3

This session will give some tips on organising your work and life to make the most of
your first semester at university. Includes activities and discussions on:

        Being a self-directed learner;
        Your attitudes to time; and
        Tips on prioritising and time management.


SK5003: INTRODUCTION TO INFORMATION SKILLS
15 October 2008, 0900 – 1200
You will be informed about the location at the introductory lecture

Workshop 1 (compulsory). You will have to sign up for a follow-up workshop if you
have not successfully carried out all the tasks during this workshop.


REVISION STRATEGIES                                                  W LAWRENSON
3 December 2008, 1100 – 1200, LT3

This session will look at ideas and strategies for taking exams. Includes activities and
discussions on:

        How to make the best use of your time studying for exams;
        Revision techniques; and
        Memory tricks.


EXAMINATION STRATEGIES                                               W LAWRENSON
8 December 2008, 1300 – 1400, Auditorium

This session will look at ideas and strategies for taking exams. Includes activities and
discussions on:

        Using exam time effectively;
        Understanding and choosing the questions;
        Structuring an exam essay; and
        Hints and tips on sitting exams.



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GS50M1 Generic Skills Module                                      College of Life Sciences & Medicine




STAFF LIST

Dr H M Wallace                                      Course Co-ordinator, Senior Lecturer
                           Medicine & Therapeutics, College of Life Sciences & Medicine

Prof R Aspden                       Orthopaedic Surgery, School of Medicine & Dentistry

                                                   Site Services Manager, DISS and Library

Mr P Fantom                                        Deputy Head of Service, Student Affairs,
                                                                  Careers & Appointments

Ms W Lawrenson                  Academic Skills Adviser, Centre for Learning & Teaching

Dr A Lewendon                    Commercialisation Co-ordinator, Research & Innovation

Prof A Porter                      Molecular & Cell Biology, School of Medical Sciences

Ms E Shallcross                                            Information Consultant, Library




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